ISLAMABAD: In a bold political move that could shake up the country’s budget showdown, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reached out to the rival Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday, dangling a tempting offer that if the PPP walks out on the 2025-26 federal budget vote PTI has got its back.
Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI bigwig Asad Qaiser met PPP heavyweight Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, stoking speculation about a brewing alliance of convenience between two bitter rivals.
“We’re hearing whispers that Bilawal’s camp might boycott the budget vote,” Qaiser told Ashraf, adding, “If that’s true – count us in.”
Ashraf did not shut the door. He said he would pass the message to Bilawal once he is back in town. But when the press caught up with him, Ashraf played it cool. “Yes, I met Asad Qaiser but any talk of boycotting the budget is a pure fiction,” he shot down firmly.
Still, Ashraf did not hide the PPP’s growing unease. “We’re part of the ruling coalition,” he said, “but we’ve got issues and we made those loud and clear in our parliamentary huddle today.”
Lawmakers from Sindh and Punjab, he revealed, are also raising eyebrows over budget allocations. “We’ll be taking it up with the government,” he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025